Casualty

By Jessica E., Grand Junction, CO

Image Credit: Kimberly H., Summer Shade, KY

My father never came home from the warYes, he did come back to his housebut the war only followed himGhosts of soldiersfrom both sides,innoccent people with hollow eyesstalked himhe would battle with them inhis headtake the battle to me withhis handThe whoosh of an assailinghand, the sign of an impending bombFlashes of paingritbloodBlack. Blue. Purple.Badges of survivingthrough past battlesIf my father had come home from the warhe would be proudof the soldierhe made meI keep marching througheach battleonly hoping Iwon’t become another ghost to haunt himAnother casualty ofwar.